FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Heading into the halftime break facing a deficit for the first time on the season, the top-ranked Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Basketball team outscored Emmanuel 63-43 in the second half and closed out the 2024 slate with a 115-98 victory at the Rick Case Arena on Thursday evening. All five starters for NSU scored in double figures in the effort, led by 29 points from Ryker Cisarik (9-12 FG), while MJ Iraldi added 27 points, Tyler Eberhart had a perfect shooting night (20 points/6-6 FG/7-7 FT) and Dallas Graziani recorded his sixth double-double of the season (18 points/13 assists).
The Sharks have won 69 consecutive home games at the Rick Case Arena.
Records: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 11-0 | Emmanuel 7-6
Score: No. 1 Nova Southeastern 115 | Emmanuel 98
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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First Half – The Sharks quickly jumped out to an 11-3 lead over the Lions in the early going, as Tyler Eberhart, MJ Iraldi, Ross Reeves and Alex Mangold got involved in the scoring. NSU’s lead evaporated just as suddenly as it was built, as Emmanuel went on a 24-4 run to lead 27-15 over Nova Southeastern nearing the midway point of the opening half. The Sharks showed their resiliency, rallying to tie the game at 40-40 following a second chance bucket from Reeves. With time winding down, Dallas Graziani beat the buzzer with a lay-up and sent NSU into the break trailing 55-52.
Second Half – Head Coach Jim Crutchfield‘s team used to break to make needed adjustments and came out in the second half on a 12-2 run, taking a 64-67 lead following a three-pointer from Reeves. Emmanuel cut into the NSU advantage with a three-pointer, but Ryker Cisarik followed it up with a bucket of his own, pushing the Sharks’ advantage to 74-64. Nova Southeastern continued to pull away, as after a Graziani bucket, Cisarik added another three-pointer and gave NSU a 85-73 midway through the half. The Sharks led by double-digits for the remainder of the game, as NSU improved to 11-0 on the season and extended the program’s home winning streak to 69 consecutive games.
Ryker Cisarik 29 points, eight rebounds, 9-12 FG
MJ Iraldi: 27 point, two steals, one block, three rebounds
Tyler Eberhart: 20 points, 6-6 FG, 7-7 FT, six assists, two steals
Dallas Graziani: 18 points, 13 assists, 8-9 FG (sixth double-double of season)
Ross Reeves: 11 points
No. 1 Nova Southeastern will return to action on Wednesday, January 1st, taking on Sunshine State Conference foe Tampa at the Rick Case Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Men’s Basketball, be sure to follow on Instagram and X at NSU_MBasketbal. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
